19-year-old Irish bowler takes indefinite break from international cricket

Freya Sargent. (Source: Getty Images)

Ireland spinner Freya Sargent has decided to step back from international cricket for the time being due to personal reasons. The 19-year-old has opted out of national duty after having played 16 ODIs and 16 T20Is, claiming a total of 33 wickets across her white-ball career.

Sargent made her international debut in 2023 and quickly became one of Ireland’s most promising young talents. She was nominated for the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in 2024, following her strong performances at the first two Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cups in 2023 and 2025.

Her rise in Irish cricket has been rapid, and she has been considered a key figure in the team’s bowling attack. The decision to step back has been supported by Cricket Ireland, with Director of High Performance Graeme West emphasizing the importance of player well-being.

“Freya has been a valued member of the senior performance squad for the past three years, making a significant contribution both on and off the field. She has been an integral part of the team. Cricket Ireland will continue to support Freya during this time, the Team Management Unit are all agreed this is the best option available to Freya. Player well-being is paramount to us and takes precedence over everything else,” said West as quoted by Cricket Ireland in an official release on September 23.

Sargent had recently returned to the Irish side after recovering from an injury and was part of the squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup European Qualifier in August. She was also included in Ireland’s latest list of centrally contracted players, reflecting the team management’s faith in her abilities. Her most recent performance came against Italy Women, where she returned figures of 3/38 in August, further highlighting her effectiveness with the ball.

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